Joint statement from Birmingham City Partnership Board

The Birmingham City Partnership Board has issued a statement confirming its commitment to work together for the future of the city.

Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council and Chair of the BCPB Cllr Sharon Thompson said:

“As Chair of the Birmingham City Partnership Board, I am proud to reaffirm, alongside the diverse range of partners across our city, our shared vision and commitment to building a brighter and bolder Birmingham. By facing challenges head on, Birmingham continues to thrive as a resilient global city where both businesses and communities prosper. We believe in Birmingham’s potential, and as partners, we will continue to seize opportunities and champion a happier, healthier, and fairer future for all who call this vibrant city home.”

Full statement from the Birmingham City Partnership Board:

Following recent developments at Birmingham City Council, the Birmingham City Partnership Board is reaffirming its commitment to work together for the future of Birmingham.

On 5th September 2023, Birmingham City Council issued a Section 114 Notice under the Local Government Finance Act, as part of an overall strategy to restore the council’s finances and achieve financial sustainability. Following this, on 19th September national government announced its intention to send commissioners into Birmingham to help the council resolve its ongoing financial challenges. The council has expressed its full commitment to work closely with commissioners as it works to stabilise its finances and ensure the continued delivery of essential services to the people of Birmingham.

We recognise that this news may create uncertainty and worry for residents, businesses and partners. That is why the Birmingham City Partnership Board has come together to reaffirm our commitment to the city, our determination to work together to tackle the challenges ahead, and our belief that Birmingham is a city with a big, bold and bright future.

We will stand together as partners and a city to ensure that Birmingham continues to thrive. This includes working with the council, local leadership and commissioners to advocate on behalf of local communities, businesses and the whole city.

The Birmingham City Partnership Board was formed in 2018 to provide a forum for strategic leadership in the city, ensuring that Birmingham can respond effectively to its challenges and make the most of its opportunities. It includes representation from sectors across the city, including local government, the NHS, business, education and university sectors, the culture sector and our voluntary and community sector.

We believe that partnership working is more important than ever for the future of the city. Working together, we can pool resources, share expertise and leverage our combined strength to achieve our vision of a happier, healthier and fairer Birmingham.

Birmingham has experienced significant economic growth in recent years, welcoming a diverse range of national and international investors. The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games put the city on the map as a global destination for investment, tourism, culture and business. We are clear that is still the case. Birmingham continues to welcome investors, students, businesses and families – a truly global city, where people from around the world come to build a shared, prosperous future.

Signed

Councillor Sharon Thompson, Chair of the City Partnership Board and Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council

Time Boyes, Chief Executive, Birmingham Education Partnership

David Melbourne, Chief Executive, NHS Integrated Care Board

Laura Shoaf, Chief Executive, West Midlands Combined Authority

Janice Nichols, Chief Executive, Citizens Advice Birmingham

Penny Thompson, Independent Chair, Birmingham Safeguarding Children and Children’s Partnership

Henriette Breukelaar, Chief Executive, Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership

Councillor Robert Alden, Leader of the Conservative Group, Birmingham City Council

Ammo Talwar, Chief Executive, Ammo Records

Erica Love, Chief Executive, Culture Central

Brian Carr, Chief Executive, Birmingham Voluntary Services Council (BVSC)